Bishop Silva (file photo)
By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Singing at Mass is back. So are hymnals, missalettes and printed bulletins.
Father Alfred Omar Guerrero, director of the Office of Worship, reported those changes to pandemic church-going protocols in an emailed Nov. 10 memo addressed to clergy, parishes and all Hawaii Catholics. (See full text.)
Face masks are still required, as well as social distancing.
The updated rules are for all Catholic churches, chapels, oratories, centers, and missions in the Diocese of Honolulu. They go into effect Nov. 28, the First Sunday of Advent.
Choirs are now permitted along with congregational singing. Masks still must be worn and “distancing and improved ventilation should be considered and implemented.”
Songbooks and missalettes again may be left in the pews and weekly bulletins may be handed out.
Collection baskets should not be passed from person to person. Offerings may be placed in a single basket in front of the altar or in a locked box at the church entrance. Or ushers may use baskets with handles or walk their baskets through the aisles.
Parish communal penance services are permitted, observing “good spacing” between the penitent and priest while ensuring absolute privacy for the penitent. Confessions by phone or internet are not permitted.
Church funerals with the body of the deceased present are allowed if the mortuary is permitted to transport the body. Attendance may be at full capacity with six-foot social distancing and masks worn.
Pastors may keep their churches open during the day for private prayer.
Those who are sick or vulnerable to infection are advised not to attend Mass.
